SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

SRRT Resolutions Analysis 1969-2026

Considering the focus on SRRT resolutions lately, I decided to do a new analysis of all the SRRT resolutions since our founding in 1969 through February 2026. This is an update of the analysis that I sent recently reproduced from my book[1] published in 2015 which covered 1970 to 2012. However, that previous analysis was not based on a comprehensive archive. It covered perhaps 90% of the universe of resolutions for that period. Now that we have a comprehensive resolution archive, this more complete analysis is possible. The completion of the Resolution Archive was made possible by funding from the SRRT Action Council for research in the ALA Archives at the University of Illinois Library. The research was done in the early 2020s by graduate assistants who were already employed in the ALA Archives. I supervised the graduate assistants, but I especially want to thank April Sheperd for all the work she did in putting all the materials together in a user-friendly format on the SRRT website.

Overview

SRRT has sometimes passed resolutions intended only as SRRT positions, and more usually passed resolutions that were sent to the ALA Council for discussion hopefully to become ALA policy. Over our 57-year period, we have passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions not intended to go to the ALA Council (24%). Of the other 211 resolutions sent for deliberation in the ALA Council, we succeed in passing 114 resolutions (54%), some in their original form, some with small amendments and some with extensive amendments. I did not count resolutions successful if they were amended so much that they lost their meaning and the impact of the originals (and this is also reflected in the Resolution Archive). In some cases our resolutions motivated other ALA bodies to submit substitute resolutions that were passed instead of the SRRT resolutions. Most of the time such substitutes exhibited little resemblance to the original SRRT texts, and in such cases SRRT can't claim much success, unless one considers getting the ALA Council to do anything at all as a minor achievement. 28% of the 211 resolutions were defeated and 9% deferred for future action. 

4 of the 279 resolutions were approved by the ALA Membership Meeting but not sent for Council action, 9 were submitted but then withdrawn before ALA Council action for various reasons, 4 were not considered because the ALA Council meetings ran out of time, and 1 was tabled.

Analysis by Decade

SRRT success in the ALA Council has varied tremendously over time, by decade from 25% to 82%. SRRT wrote the most resolutions during the long decade (11 years) from 1969 to 1979. Of 76 resolutions, 64 were sent to the ALA Council and, and 38 of these were passed (59%). In terms of percentage passed, the next decade, 1980 to 1989, was our most successful. Of 40 resolutions, 33 were sent to the ALA Council and 27 were successful (82%). Here is the information for the other decades. For 1990-1999, 51 of 79 resolutions were sent to the Council with a success rate of 25%. For 2000-2009, 33 of 46 went to Council with a success rate of 36%. For 2010-2019, 32 of 33 resolutions went to Council with a success rate of 31%. For 2020-2026, 11 of 16 went to Council with a success rate of 55%.

The most active years were 1974 (19 resolutions), 1993 (16), and 1970 (13). The most passive year was 2025 when no resolutions were passed. There were 6 years when only 1 resolution was passed: 1979, 1988, 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2024.

 Subject Analysis

As we know, subject analysis is not always straightforward. Undoubtably, my own perceptions have affected the categories I have chosen and my assignment of resolutions to those categories. What makes this more difficult is that some resolutions may address more than one subject. For example, there are some civil rights resolutions that address not only discrimination against people of color, but also women or LGBT folks. The category of affirmative action is a good example. I have tried to be as consistent as possible in assigning resolutions to the best categories.

90% of resolutions (250 of 279) fall into 6 broad categories: US civil rights (71), intellectual freedom and access to information (52 resolutions), ALA or SRRT governance (40), war and peace (40), international human rights (30), and surveillance (5). I put resolutions on whistleblowers under access to information. I have brought together under US civil rights the following categories, but I also have individual breakdowns: general civil rights including focus on people of color (23), labor (21), women (16), affirmative action (10), LGBT (8), and poor people (5).

Here are the success rates for the resolutions sent to the ALA Council: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

The success rates for the individual categories within US civil rights are: general civil rights including focus on people of color (95%), LGBT (75%), affirmative action (71%), women (63%), poor people (60%), and labor (50%).

The other miscellaneous resolutions are on cataloging (8 resolutions with 83% success), environment (5 with 33% success), health care (3 with 33%), corporate funding (3 with 0%), library education (2 with 67%), alternative press (2 with 0%), outsourcing and privatization (2 with 0%), and impeachment of US presidents (2 with 0%).

Summary

SRRT has passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions (24%). Of the 211 resolutions sent to ALA Council, SRRT passed 114 (54%). SRRT's success rate varied by decade from 25% (1990-1999) to 82% (1980-1989). 90% of resolutions fall into 6 broad categories. They are by success rate: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

SRRT Resolutions Analysis 1969-2026

Considering the focus on SRRT resolutions lately, I decided to do a new analysis of all the SRRT resolutions since our founding in 1969 through February 2026. This is an update of the analysis that I sent recently reproduced from my book[1] published in 2015 which covered 1970 to 2012. However, that previous analysis was not based on a comprehensive archive. It covered perhaps 90% of the universe of resolutions for that period. Now that we have a comprehensive resolution archive, this more complete analysis is possible. The completion of the Resolution Archive was made possible by funding from the SRRT Action Council for research in the ALA Archives at the University of Illinois Library. The research was done in the early 2020s by graduate assistants who were already employed in the ALA Archives. I supervised the graduate assistants, but I especially want to thank April Sheperd for all the work she did in putting all the materials together in a user-friendly format on the SRRT website.

Overview

SRRT has sometimes passed resolutions intended only as SRRT positions, and more usually passed resolutions that were sent to the ALA Council for discussion hopefully to become ALA policy. Over our 57-year period, we have passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions not intended to go to the ALA Council (24%). Of the other 211 resolutions sent for deliberation in the ALA Council, we succeed in passing 114 resolutions (54%), some in their original form, some with small amendments and some with extensive amendments. I did not count resolutions successful if they were amended so much that they lost their meaning and the impact of the originals (and this is also reflected in the Resolution Archive). In some cases our resolutions motivated other ALA bodies to submit substitute resolutions that were passed instead of the SRRT resolutions. Most of the time such substitutes exhibited little resemblance to the original SRRT texts, and in such cases SRRT can't claim much success, unless one considers getting the ALA Council to do anything at all as a minor achievement. 28% of the 211 resolutions were defeated and 9% deferred for future action. 

4 of the 279 resolutions were approved by the ALA Membership Meeting but not sent for Council action, 9 were submitted but then withdrawn before ALA Council action for various reasons, 4 were not considered because the ALA Council meetings ran out of time, and 1 was tabled.

Analysis by Decade

SRRT success in the ALA Council has varied tremendously over time, by decade from 25% to 82%. SRRT wrote the most resolutions during the long decade (11 years) from 1969 to 1979. Of 76 resolutions, 64 were sent to the ALA Council and, and 38 of these were passed (59%). In terms of percentage passed, the next decade, 1980 to 1989, was our most successful. Of 40 resolutions, 33 were sent to the ALA Council and 27 were successful (82%). Here is the information for the other decades. For 1990-1999, 51 of 79 resolutions were sent to the Council with a success rate of 25%. For 2000-2009, 33 of 46 went to Council with a success rate of 36%. For 2010-2019, 32 of 33 resolutions went to Council with a success rate of 31%. For 2020-2026, 11 of 16 went to Council with a success rate of 55%.

The most active years were 1974 (19 resolutions), 1993 (16), and 1970 (13). The most passive year was 2025 when no resolutions were passed. There were 6 years when only 1 resolution was passed: 1979, 1988, 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2024.

 Subject Analysis

As we know, subject analysis is not always straightforward. Undoubtably, my own perceptions have affected the categories I have chosen and my assignment of resolutions to those categories. What makes this more difficult is that some resolutions may address more than one subject. For example, there are some civil rights resolutions that address not only discrimination against people of color, but also women or LGBT folks. The category of affirmative action is a good example. I have tried to be as consistent as possible in assigning resolutions to the best categories.

90% of resolutions (250 of 279) fall into 6 broad categories: US civil rights (71), intellectual freedom and access to information (52 resolutions), ALA or SRRT governance (40), war and peace (40), international human rights (30), and surveillance (5). I put resolutions on whistleblowers under access to information. I have brought together under US civil rights the following categories, but I also have individual breakdowns: general civil rights including focus on people of color (23), labor (21), women (16), affirmative action (10), LGBT (8), and poor people (5).

Here are the success rates for the resolutions sent to the ALA Council: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

The success rates for the individual categories within US civil rights are: general civil rights including focus on people of color (95%), LGBT (75%), affirmative action (71%), women (63%), poor people (60%), and labor (50%).

The other miscellaneous resolutions are on cataloging (8 resolutions with 83% success), environment (5 with 33% success), health care (3 with 33%), corporate funding (3 with 0%), library education (2 with 67%), alternative press (2 with 0%), outsourcing and privatization (2 with 0%), and impeachment of US presidents (2 with 0%).

Summary

SRRT has passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions (24%). Of the 211 resolutions sent to ALA Council, SRRT passed 114 (54%). SRRT's success rate varied by decade from 25% (1990-1999) to 82% (1980-1989). 90% of resolutions fall into 6 broad categories. They are by success rate: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

SRRT Resolutions Analysis 1969-2026

Considering the focus on SRRT resolutions lately, I decided to do a new analysis of all the SRRT resolutions since our founding in 1969 through February 2026. This is an update of the analysis that I sent recently reproduced from my book[1] published in 2015 which covered 1970 to 2012. However, that previous analysis was not based on a comprehensive archive. It covered perhaps 90% of the universe of resolutions for that period. Now that we have a comprehensive resolution archive, this more complete analysis is possible. The completion of the Resolution Archive was made possible by funding from the SRRT Action Council for research in the ALA Archives at the University of Illinois Library. The research was done in the early 2020s by graduate assistants who were already employed in the ALA Archives. I supervised the graduate assistants, but I especially want to thank April Sheperd for all the work she did in putting all the materials together in a user-friendly format on the SRRT website.

Overview

SRRT has sometimes passed resolutions intended only as SRRT positions, and more usually passed resolutions that were sent to the ALA Council for discussion hopefully to become ALA policy. Over our 57-year period, we have passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions not intended to go to the ALA Council (24%). Of the other 211 resolutions sent for deliberation in the ALA Council, we succeed in passing 114 resolutions (54%), some in their original form, some with small amendments and some with extensive amendments. I did not count resolutions successful if they were amended so much that they lost their meaning and the impact of the originals (and this is also reflected in the Resolution Archive). In some cases our resolutions motivated other ALA bodies to submit substitute resolutions that were passed instead of the SRRT resolutions. Most of the time such substitutes exhibited little resemblance to the original SRRT texts, and in such cases SRRT can't claim much success, unless one considers getting the ALA Council to do anything at all as a minor achievement. 28% of the 211 resolutions were defeated and 9% deferred for future action. 

4 of the 279 resolutions were approved by the ALA Membership Meeting but not sent for Council action, 9 were submitted but then withdrawn before ALA Council action for various reasons, 4 were not considered because the ALA Council meetings ran out of time, and 1 was tabled.

Analysis by Decade

SRRT success in the ALA Council has varied tremendously over time, by decade from 25% to 82%. SRRT wrote the most resolutions during the long decade (11 years) from 1969 to 1979. Of 76 resolutions, 64 were sent to the ALA Council and, and 38 of these were passed (59%). In terms of percentage passed, the next decade, 1980 to 1989, was our most successful. Of 40 resolutions, 33 were sent to the ALA Council and 27 were successful (82%). Here is the information for the other decades. For 1990-1999, 51 of 79 resolutions were sent to the Council with a success rate of 25%. For 2000-2009, 33 of 46 went to Council with a success rate of 36%. For 2010-2019, 32 of 33 resolutions went to Council with a success rate of 31%. For 2020-2026, 11 of 16 went to Council with a success rate of 55%.

The most active years were 1974 (19 resolutions), 1993 (16), and 1970 (13). The most passive year was 2025 when no resolutions were passed. There were 6 years when only 1 resolution was passed: 1979, 1988, 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2024.

 Subject Analysis

As we know, subject analysis is not always straightforward. Undoubtably, my own perceptions have affected the categories I have chosen and my assignment of resolutions to those categories. What makes this more difficult is that some resolutions may address more than one subject. For example, there are some civil rights resolutions that address not only discrimination against people of color, but also women or LGBT folks. The category of affirmative action is a good example. I have tried to be as consistent as possible in assigning resolutions to the best categories.

90% of resolutions (250 of 279) fall into 6 broad categories: US civil rights (71), intellectual freedom and access to information (52 resolutions), ALA or SRRT governance (40), war and peace (40), international human rights (30), and surveillance (5). I put resolutions on whistleblowers under access to information. I have brought together under US civil rights the following categories, but I also have individual breakdowns: general civil rights including focus on people of color (23), labor (21), women (16), affirmative action (10), LGBT (8), and poor people (5).

Here are the success rates for the resolutions sent to the ALA Council: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

The success rates for the individual categories within US civil rights are: general civil rights including focus on people of color (95%), LGBT (75%), affirmative action (71%), women (63%), poor people (60%), and labor (50%).

The other miscellaneous resolutions are on cataloging (8 resolutions with 83% success), environment (5 with 33% success), health care (3 with 33%), corporate funding (3 with 0%), library education (2 with 67%), alternative press (2 with 0%), outsourcing and privatization (2 with 0%), and impeachment of US presidents (2 with 0%).

Summary

SRRT has passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions (24%). Of the 211 resolutions sent to ALA Council, SRRT passed 114 (54%). SRRT's success rate varied by decade from 25% (1990-1999) to 82% (1980-1989). 90% of resolutions fall into 6 broad categories. They are by success rate: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

SRRT Resolutions Analysis 1969-2026

Considering the focus on SRRT resolutions lately, I decided to do a new analysis of all the SRRT resolutions since our founding in 1969 through February 2026. This is an update of the analysis that I sent recently reproduced from my book[1] published in 2015 which covered 1970 to 2012. However, that previous analysis was not based on a comprehensive archive. It covered perhaps 90% of the universe of resolutions for that period. Now that we have a comprehensive resolution archive, this more complete analysis is possible. The completion of the Resolution Archive was made possible by funding from the SRRT Action Council for research in the ALA Archives at the University of Illinois Library. The research was done in the early 2020s by graduate assistants who were already employed in the ALA Archives. I supervised the graduate assistants, but I especially want to thank April Sheperd for all the work she did in putting all the materials together in a user-friendly format on the SRRT website.

Overview

SRRT has sometimes passed resolutions intended only as SRRT positions, and more usually passed resolutions that were sent to the ALA Council for discussion hopefully to become ALA policy. Over our 57-year period, we have passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions not intended to go to the ALA Council (24%). Of the other 211 resolutions sent for deliberation in the ALA Council, we succeed in passing 114 resolutions (54%), some in their original form, some with small amendments and some with extensive amendments. I did not count resolutions successful if they were amended so much that they lost their meaning and the impact of the originals (and this is also reflected in the Resolution Archive). In some cases our resolutions motivated other ALA bodies to submit substitute resolutions that were passed instead of the SRRT resolutions. Most of the time such substitutes exhibited little resemblance to the original SRRT texts, and in such cases SRRT can't claim much success, unless one considers getting the ALA Council to do anything at all as a minor achievement. 28% of the 211 resolutions were defeated and 9% deferred for future action. 

4 of the 279 resolutions were approved by the ALA Membership Meeting but not sent for Council action, 9 were submitted but then withdrawn before ALA Council action for various reasons, 4 were not considered because the ALA Council meetings ran out of time, and 1 was tabled.

Analysis by Decade

SRRT success in the ALA Council has varied tremendously over time, by decade from 25% to 82%. SRRT wrote the most resolutions during the long decade (11 years) from 1969 to 1979. Of 76 resolutions, 64 were sent to the ALA Council and, and 38 of these were passed (59%). In terms of percentage passed, the next decade, 1980 to 1989, was our most successful. Of 40 resolutions, 33 were sent to the ALA Council and 27 were successful (82%). Here is the information for the other decades. For 1990-1999, 51 of 79 resolutions were sent to the Council with a success rate of 25%. For 2000-2009, 33 of 46 went to Council with a success rate of 36%. For 2010-2019, 32 of 33 resolutions went to Council with a success rate of 31%. For 2020-2026, 11 of 16 went to Council with a success rate of 55%.

The most active years were 1974 (19 resolutions), 1993 (16), and 1970 (13). The most passive year was 2025 when no resolutions were passed. There were 6 years when only 1 resolution was passed: 1979, 1988, 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2024.

 Subject Analysis

As we know, subject analysis is not always straightforward. Undoubtably, my own perceptions have affected the categories I have chosen and my assignment of resolutions to those categories. What makes this more difficult is that some resolutions may address more than one subject. For example, there are some civil rights resolutions that address not only discrimination against people of color, but also women or LGBT folks. The category of affirmative action is a good example. I have tried to be as consistent as possible in assigning resolutions to the best categories.

90% of resolutions (250 of 279) fall into 6 broad categories: US civil rights (71), intellectual freedom and access to information (52 resolutions), ALA or SRRT governance (40), war and peace (40), international human rights (30), and surveillance (5). I put resolutions on whistleblowers under access to information. I have brought together under US civil rights the following categories, but I also have individual breakdowns: general civil rights including focus on people of color (23), labor (21), women (16), affirmative action (10), LGBT (8), and poor people (5).

Here are the success rates for the resolutions sent to the ALA Council: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

The success rates for the individual categories within US civil rights are: general civil rights including focus on people of color (95%), LGBT (75%), affirmative action (71%), women (63%), poor people (60%), and labor (50%).

The other miscellaneous resolutions are on cataloging (8 resolutions with 83% success), environment (5 with 33% success), health care (3 with 33%), corporate funding (3 with 0%), library education (2 with 67%), alternative press (2 with 0%), outsourcing and privatization (2 with 0%), and impeachment of US presidents (2 with 0%).

Summary

SRRT has passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions (24%). Of the 211 resolutions sent to ALA Council, SRRT passed 114 (54%). SRRT's success rate varied by decade from 25% (1990-1999) to 82% (1980-1989). 90% of resolutions fall into 6 broad categories. They are by success rate: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

SRRT Resolutions Analysis 1969-2026

Considering the focus on SRRT resolutions lately, I decided to do a new analysis of all the SRRT resolutions since our founding in 1969 through February 2026. This is an update of the analysis that I sent recently reproduced from my book[1] published in 2015 which covered 1970 to 2012. However, that previous analysis was not based on a comprehensive archive. It covered perhaps 90% of the universe of resolutions for that period. Now that we have a comprehensive resolution archive, this more complete analysis is possible. The completion of the Resolution Archive was made possible by funding from the SRRT Action Council for research in the ALA Archives at the University of Illinois Library. The research was done in the early 2020s by graduate assistants who were already employed in the ALA Archives. I supervised the graduate assistants, but I especially want to thank April Sheperd for all the work she did in putting all the materials together in a user-friendly format on the SRRT website.

Overview

SRRT has sometimes passed resolutions intended only as SRRT positions, and more usually passed resolutions that were sent to the ALA Council for discussion hopefully to become ALA policy. Over our 57-year period, we have passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions not intended to go to the ALA Council (24%). Of the other 211 resolutions sent for deliberation in the ALA Council, we succeed in passing 114 resolutions (54%), some in their original form, some with small amendments and some with extensive amendments. I did not count resolutions successful if they were amended so much that they lost their meaning and the impact of the originals (and this is also reflected in the Resolution Archive). In some cases our resolutions motivated other ALA bodies to submit substitute resolutions that were passed instead of the SRRT resolutions. Most of the time such substitutes exhibited little resemblance to the original SRRT texts, and in such cases SRRT can't claim much success, unless one considers getting the ALA Council to do anything at all as a minor achievement. 28% of the 211 resolutions were defeated and 9% deferred for future action. 

4 of the 279 resolutions were approved by the ALA Membership Meeting but not sent for Council action, 9 were submitted but then withdrawn before ALA Council action for various reasons, 4 were not considered because the ALA Council meetings ran out of time, and 1 was tabled.

Analysis by Decade

SRRT success in the ALA Council has varied tremendously over time, by decade from 25% to 82%. SRRT wrote the most resolutions during the long decade (11 years) from 1969 to 1979. Of 76 resolutions, 64 were sent to the ALA Council and, and 38 of these were passed (59%). In terms of percentage passed, the next decade, 1980 to 1989, was our most successful. Of 40 resolutions, 33 were sent to the ALA Council and 27 were successful (82%). Here is the information for the other decades. For 1990-1999, 51 of 79 resolutions were sent to the Council with a success rate of 25%. For 2000-2009, 33 of 46 went to Council with a success rate of 36%. For 2010-2019, 32 of 33 resolutions went to Council with a success rate of 31%. For 2020-2026, 11 of 16 went to Council with a success rate of 55%.

The most active years were 1974 (19 resolutions), 1993 (16), and 1970 (13). The most passive year was 2025 when no resolutions were passed. There were 6 years when only 1 resolution was passed: 1979, 1988, 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2024.

 Subject Analysis

As we know, subject analysis is not always straightforward. Undoubtably, my own perceptions have affected the categories I have chosen and my assignment of resolutions to those categories. What makes this more difficult is that some resolutions may address more than one subject. For example, there are some civil rights resolutions that address not only discrimination against people of color, but also women or LGBT folks. The category of affirmative action is a good example. I have tried to be as consistent as possible in assigning resolutions to the best categories.

90% of resolutions (250 of 279) fall into 6 broad categories: US civil rights (71), intellectual freedom and access to information (52 resolutions), ALA or SRRT governance (40), war and peace (40), international human rights (30), and surveillance (5). I put resolutions on whistleblowers under access to information. I have brought together under US civil rights the following categories, but I also have individual breakdowns: general civil rights including focus on people of color (23), labor (21), women (16), affirmative action (10), LGBT (8), and poor people (5).

Here are the success rates for the resolutions sent to the ALA Council: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

The success rates for the individual categories within US civil rights are: general civil rights including focus on people of color (95%), LGBT (75%), affirmative action (71%), women (63%), poor people (60%), and labor (50%).

The other miscellaneous resolutions are on cataloging (8 resolutions with 83% success), environment (5 with 33% success), health care (3 with 33%), corporate funding (3 with 0%), library education (2 with 67%), alternative press (2 with 0%), outsourcing and privatization (2 with 0%), and impeachment of US presidents (2 with 0%).

Summary

SRRT has passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions (24%). Of the 211 resolutions sent to ALA Council, SRRT passed 114 (54%). SRRT's success rate varied by decade from 25% (1990-1999) to 82% (1980-1989). 90% of resolutions fall into 6 broad categories. They are by success rate: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

SRRT Resolutions Analysis 1969-2026

Considering the focus on SRRT resolutions lately, I decided to do a new analysis of all the SRRT resolutions since our founding in 1969 through February 2026. This is an update of the analysis that I sent recently reproduced from my book[1] published in 2015 which covered 1970 to 2012. However, that previous analysis was not based on a comprehensive archive. It covered perhaps 90% of the universe of resolutions for that period. Now that we have a comprehensive resolution archive, this more complete analysis is possible. The completion of the Resolution Archive was made possible by funding from the SRRT Action Council for research in the ALA Archives at the University of Illinois Library. The research was done in the early 2020s by graduate assistants who were already employed in the ALA Archives. I supervised the graduate assistants, but I especially want to thank April Sheperd for all the work she did in putting all the materials together in a user-friendly format on the SRRT website.

Overview

SRRT has sometimes passed resolutions intended only as SRRT positions, and more usually passed resolutions that were sent to the ALA Council for discussion hopefully to become ALA policy. Over our 57-year period, we have passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions not intended to go to the ALA Council (24%). Of the other 211 resolutions sent for deliberation in the ALA Council, we succeed in passing 114 resolutions (54%), some in their original form, some with small amendments and some with extensive amendments. I did not count resolutions successful if they were amended so much that they lost their meaning and the impact of the originals (and this is also reflected in the Resolution Archive). In some cases our resolutions motivated other ALA bodies to submit substitute resolutions that were passed instead of the SRRT resolutions. Most of the time such substitutes exhibited little resemblance to the original SRRT texts, and in such cases SRRT can't claim much success, unless one considers getting the ALA Council to do anything at all as a minor achievement. 28% of the 211 resolutions were defeated and 9% deferred for future action. 

4 of the 279 resolutions were approved by the ALA Membership Meeting but not sent for Council action, 9 were submitted but then withdrawn before ALA Council action for various reasons, 4 were not considered because the ALA Council meetings ran out of time, and 1 was tabled.

Analysis by Decade

SRRT success in the ALA Council has varied tremendously over time, by decade from 25% to 82%. SRRT wrote the most resolutions during the long decade (11 years) from 1969 to 1979. Of 76 resolutions, 64 were sent to the ALA Council and, and 38 of these were passed (59%). In terms of percentage passed, the next decade, 1980 to 1989, was our most successful. Of 40 resolutions, 33 were sent to the ALA Council and 27 were successful (82%). Here is the information for the other decades. For 1990-1999, 51 of 79 resolutions were sent to the Council with a success rate of 25%. For 2000-2009, 33 of 46 went to Council with a success rate of 36%. For 2010-2019, 32 of 33 resolutions went to Council with a success rate of 31%. For 2020-2026, 11 of 16 went to Council with a success rate of 55%.

The most active years were 1974 (19 resolutions), 1993 (16), and 1970 (13). The most passive year was 2025 when no resolutions were passed. There were 6 years when only 1 resolution was passed: 1979, 1988, 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2024.

 Subject Analysis

As we know, subject analysis is not always straightforward. Undoubtably, my own perceptions have affected the categories I have chosen and my assignment of resolutions to those categories. What makes this more difficult is that some resolutions may address more than one subject. For example, there are some civil rights resolutions that address not only discrimination against people of color, but also women or LGBT folks. The category of affirmative action is a good example. I have tried to be as consistent as possible in assigning resolutions to the best categories.

90% of resolutions (250 of 279) fall into 6 broad categories: US civil rights (71), intellectual freedom and access to information (52 resolutions), ALA or SRRT governance (40), war and peace (40), international human rights (30), and surveillance (5). I put resolutions on whistleblowers under access to information. I have brought together under US civil rights the following categories, but I also have individual breakdowns: general civil rights including focus on people of color (23), labor (21), women (16), affirmative action (10), LGBT (8), and poor people (5).

Here are the success rates for the resolutions sent to the ALA Council: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).

The success rates for the individual categories within US civil rights are: general civil rights including focus on people of color (95%), LGBT (75%), affirmative action (71%), women (63%), poor people (60%), and labor (50%).

The other miscellaneous resolutions are on cataloging (8 resolutions with 83% success), environment (5 with 33% success), health care (3 with 33%), corporate funding (3 with 0%), library education (2 with 67%), alternative press (2 with 0%), outsourcing and privatization (2 with 0%), and impeachment of US presidents (2 with 0%).

Summary

SRRT has passed 279 resolutions, an average of about 5 per year. Of these, 68 were SRRT only resolutions (24%). Of the 211 resolutions sent to ALA Council, SRRT passed 114 (54%). SRRT's success rate varied by decade from 25% (1990-1999) to 82% (1980-1989). 90% of resolutions fall into 6 broad categories. They are by success rate: international human rights (76%), US civil rights (70%), war and peace (57%), surveillance (40%), ALA or SRRT governance (38%), and intellectual freedom and access to information (32%).